Key



Oct. 29, 1935. I DEUTSCH 2,019,400 I KEY Filed Jan. 19, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l IO' 0 I0 1/ i 1/ 25' P 1 I b i I I I I L L;

L /3 I? 1| fl Zea E. DeutSoh INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 29, 1935 KEY Leo E. Deutsch'yHammond, ma. assignoito Marshall William Deutscli'; Hammond, Ind.

Application January 19,1935, Serial No. 2,578

8 Claims.

United States Letters Patent, Serial No. 732,345,

filed June 25, 1934, allowed October 18, 1934; Patent No. 2,001,601, May 14, 1935.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a key of this character, wherein tumbler mechanism is confined Within the body of the key and is automatically operated for the setting thereof to effect the locking and unlocking of a tumbler lock of a construction form- 'ing the subject matter of an application for United States Letters Patent executed concurrently with this application.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a key of this character, wherein the tumbler mechanism is readily changeable through the use of an implement self-contained with said tumbler mechanism, the'key body being separable so that the tumbler mechanism will be ex posed and also the implement for manually actuating said tumbler mechanism and in this manner said tumbler mechanism can be set in conformity with the tumbler mechanism of'the lock with which the key is useable for the actuation thereof, it being obviousthat in event'of the loss of a key of this kind another key of the same type may be employed as the tumbler mechanism can be set in conformity with the setting of the lost key.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a key of this character, whereinpractically unlimited variations of combinations can be had by changing the tumbler mechanism and the changing of one combination to the other is effected with dispatch and without dismantling the tumbler mechanism from the key, there being at hand within the body of the key an implement for permitting quick and easy changing of the tumbler mechanism for arrive ing at the desired combination, the tumbler mechanism of the key being automatically set: to the combination of the lock with which it is to be used for the operation of the latter in such use.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a key of this character, wherein the mechanism therein contained is susceptible of operating tumbler locks; whose structure consti tutes the subject matteroi anjapplication exeouted concurrently with this application, the said key mechanism being capable of operating a large number of different locks/thus eliminating the necessity-of a like number of keys for the respective locks as the single key will function for the entire number of locks.

. A still furtherobject oi the invention is the provision of a key of this character, which is extremely simplein its construction, thoroughly reliable and efficient inits operation, compact, strong,-durable, automatic in its working through the tumbler mechanism therein contained, readily and easily adjustedfor varying the combination setof the-keyand inexpensive to manufacture. 1

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the features of construction, combination andarrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose the preferred embodiment: of the invention and pointed out in the claims. hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings: A

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a key con-- structed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2.-is a topedge viewthereof.

Figure 3 is an: enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through the key.

Figure 4 is a horizontal transverse sectional viewtaken longitudinally of the key.

Figure 5 is a fragmentaryenlarged top 1 edge view partly in section of the key.

- Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-45 of Figure 3 looking in the-direction of the arrows.

Figure '7 is a sectional view on the line 1--'l of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows. Figure 8 is a sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure 3 looking in thedirection of the arrows.

Figure 9 is asectional view'on the line s 9 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 10 is an end elevation of the key.

Figure -11 is a perspective view of the rocker push members. 7

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the bit push member.

' Figure 13.is' a perspective view of the bit adjusting implement.

" Figure His a perspective view for said rocker push members,

Figure-"15 1sv a sideelevation of the separable handle end section of the key.

"Figure-16 is a side elevation of the separable bit end section of said-key.

Similarreierence characters. indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views-in the drawings.

lteferring to the: drawings-in detail, the key comprises separable. handle and bit end sections 55 A and B, respectively, the latter constituting a cylindrical body portion In having a reduced circular bit end I I while the section A constitutes a closure head or cap I2 for the body portion III with a flattened key handle I3 formed with a hole I4 for a key chain or eolter of conventional kind (not shown).

The section B at the body portion II] has formed at diametrically opposite points exteriorly thereof substantially triangular shaped lateral wings I5 for matching the handle I3 of the section A, these being provided with coupling prongs I6 slidably received in companion pockets II formed in the handle I3 in alignment with the prongs I6 and opening through the edges of said handle for confronting the wings I5 when the sections A and B are brought together. The handle I3 has arranged therein spring acting friction latches I 8 for engaging seating notches I 9 therefor provided in the prongs I B for the latching of the latter in v the said handle I3 to hold the sections A and B opening through the free end of the latter.

separably connected together.

Within the cylindrical body portion In of the section B is a shiftable bit carrier I 9' slidably fitting the said portion I0 interiorly thereof and has adjustably threaded therein a circular series of spaced adjustable bits 20 which have actuator shanks 2I working through passages 22 therefor g provided longitudinally in the circular wall of N barrel 23 and said head of the plunger being cen- 35 tered in the body portion I0 and slidable in a solid thickened portion 25 formed within the body portion I0 with the head end 24 projected into a centering stud socket 26 in the bit II and The socket 26 in the bit II accommodates the centering stud within the lock constituting the subject matter of an application for patent in the United States executed concurrently herewith so that this centering stud of the lock will cause the displacement of the actuator plunger to move the same in the key for the automatic operation of the bits 20 for actuating the tumbler mechanism of said lock for unlocking purposes.

Fitted within a suitable space provided in the handle I3 of the section A is a pair of double arm rockers 21 which are supported on a pivot 28 common thereto and journaled in said handle I3. These rockers have their fulcrum arms 29 located in confronting relation to a rocker pusher 55 member 30 and a plunger pusher member 3|; respectively, these being interfitted with each other for independent sliding movement. The member 30 operates on one fulcrum arm 29 of one rocker and one fulcrum arm 29 of the other rocker while the remaining fulcrum arm has one working against the pusher member 3| at one side thereof byone rocker and the other arm working against the other side of said member 3| by the other rocker and these members 30 and 3| slide reversely to each other. The member 39 has the pair of spaced leg extensions 32 which are engaged by an abutment collar 33 threaded on the inner end of the barrel 23 of :the actuator plunger while the member 3I is formed with a central eye 34 tering stud hereinbefore referred to of the lock. 10

This shifting of the plunger causes the rockers l 21 to turn on their pivot 28 by the engagement of the member 30 therewith and by the engagement of the member 3| with these rockers this member 3I will be shifted to move the carrier I9 1 in the body portion I 0 of the key and the bits 29 adjustably carried by this carrier will be advanced within the passages 22, that is to say, the shanks 2|, and -these shanks will operate upon the tumblers of the lock accordingly to the combina- 20 tion set of those tumblers within the lock and the bits in the keys for actuating said lock.

Formed with the head I2 of the section A of the key is an annular wall 31 having snugly and firmly fitting therein a retaining disk 38 2 which interfits with the members 39 and 3I for the assembling of these in the head I2 and retention therein on the separation of the section A from the section B of the key. This disk 38 has held thereby centrally of the same an im- 30 plement in the form of a wrench stem 39 which releasably fits within the barrel 23 of the actuator plunger and has provided a fiat faced wrench socket 40 in its outer end for accommo dating the flat faced adjustment tips 4| on the 35 bits 20, these being exposed through a retainmg rmg 42 fitted with the carrier I9 to retain the assembly of the bits 20, their carrier I9 and the actuator plunger including the barrel 23 and head 24 within the body portion to of the section B when separated from the section A. It will be seen from Figure 15 of the drawings that when the section A is separated from the section B the stem 39 is withdrawn from the head. I2 with the socket 40 in the stem 39 free for engaging the tips 4| of the bits 20 which are e posed at the open end of the section B as W111 be apparent in Figure 16 for the adjustment of these bits 20 to change the combination setting of the same. 20 is had through the threaded engagement thereof with the carrier I 9' so that when these bits are automatically actuated certain of the same will be protruded and the others retracted within the passages 22 in conformity with the comblers in the lock for the unlocking operation of 60 the same.

When the bits 20 of the key have been adjusted for the proper combination condition of such bits corresponding to that of the lock the sections A and B of the key are coupled together by the coupling prongs I6 engaging in the pockets I1 and latched by the friction latches I8 carried in the section A of said key.

To enable a person to identify the adjustment of the respective bits 20 of the key by the imple-' ment 39 the body portion ID at the face of the 703 edge adjacent to the said bits 20 has indicated thereon numerals or digits 43 numerically arranged congruous with the number of bits so that selected bits according to these digits or numerals may be identified as having been adjust- The adjustment of the bits ed or for adjustment for varying the combination of the key, this being convenient for the user of the said key.

A single key of the type before described is susceptible for serving a number of locks because the combination adjustment is of extremely wide range and thus the user of a number of locks will be required to have in his possession but a single key effective for the operation of this number of locks.

The key conforming to the construction herein set forth assures safety against unauthorized control of a lock or looks and in fact should the key fall into the hands of a person other than the rightful user thereof the lock combination of the type constituting the subject matter of the application for United States patent concurrently executed herewith may be instantly altered to avoid operation thereof by the wrongful possessor of the key. Furthermore, both the key and the lock adapted to its use are susceptible of change of combinations with dispatch so as to avoid the successful use by an unauthorized person gaining possession of the key or the possession of another key of a like type while on the other hand should the rightful user suffer loss of his key there may be borrowed from another alike type of key and its bit mechanism set for use in the operation of the lock having the combination set corresponding to the lost key.

On the inner wall of the socket 225 is a guide fin 44 adapted to fit a companion groove in the centering stud of the lock hereinbefore referred to, which stud carries a frictional spring tensioned latching device to engage a seat 45 in said fin 44 so that the key will be latched within the lock when inserted therein for the operation of the same.

What is claimed is:

1. A lock key comprising a body having a bit portion provided with end openings, a plurality of bits arranged within the bit portion for projection through the end openings and means selfcontained within the body and carried by one part thereof for guiding the other part when said parts are separated and also for effecting the change in position of the bits.

2. A key of the character described comp-rising a body having separable sections, adjustable bit mechanism within the body and accessible for adjustment on separation of the sections of said body without disassembling the said mechanism from the body and an implement selfcontained within the body and carried by one section thereof for guiding the other section when bringing these together and usable on separation of the sections for altering the said bit mechanism.

3. A key of the character described comprising a body having separable sections, adjustable bit mechanism within the body and accessible for adjustment on separation of the sections of said body without disassembling the said mech- 5 anism from the body, an implement self-contained within the body and carried by one section thereof for guiding the other section when bringing these together and usable on separation of the sections for altering the said bit mechanism and means associated with said sections. for retaining assemblage of said mechanism and the implement.

4. A key of the character described comprising a body having separable sections, adjustable bit mechanism within the body and accessible for adjustment on separation of the sections of said body without disassembling the said mechanism from the body, an implement self-contained within the body and carried by one section thereof for guiding the other section when bringing these together and usable on separation of the sections for altering the said bit mechanism, means associated with said sections for retaining assemblage of said mechanism and the implement and means for frictionally latching the sections of the body together.

5. A key of the character described, comprising separable portions, adjustable bit mechanism carried by the sections and a guide on one 80 of the sections for guiding the other section and usable for adjustment of the bit mechanism on separation of said sections.

6. A key of the character described comprising separable portions, adjustable bit mechanism carried by the sections, a guide on one of the sections for guiding the other section and usable for adjustment of the bit mechanism on separation of said sections and means for separably latching the sections together.

7. A key of the character described comprising a body having a separable part, bit mechanism within the body and susceptibleof adjustment when the part is separated and a guide within said body for the said separable part and usable for adjustment of the bit mechanism on separation of the part.

8. A key of the character described comprising a body having a separable part, bit mechanism within the body and susceptible of adjustment when the part is separated, a guide within said body for the said separable part and usable for adjustment of the bit mechanism on separation of the part and means latching the part from separation from the body.

LEO E. DEUTSCH. 

